We’re in the process or redecorating our small bathroom and if I’ve learned one thing it’s this- in a small space, less is always more.  Steer clear of overdone themes; every detail, image, or colour has more presence in a small bathroom.  Each element must be carefully considered. 

A mixture of pale colours, clear glass and reflective surfaces can create an illusion of space in a small bathroom. Cool, light colours such as pale blue, lilac and aqua can help to make a room seem larger.  Try decorating the bathroom entirely in one single colour or shades of the same colour to add to the illusion of size.  Sounds simple but it works!

Wall-mounted fittings (see below) make the floor area appear larger and cabinets or vanity units that are on raised legs have a less bulky look.

Accent your decorative scheme with well-planned lighting inset into the ceiling. Good overall ambient light is important, along with careful placement of ‘task lighting’ in shower and vanity areas (ie light where you require it most).

Why not consider using marble or brass?  Costly materials are more affordable in small quantities and add a touch of luxury.  No girl could say no to that, right?!

posted by Emily

You might also like:

What do you think of these innovative space saving ideas, below?  These days everything seems to be getting smaller and more efficient and that includes our homes too.  I like how the raised ‘bedroom and office‘ area almost forms an upstairs in itself.  I’m not overly keen on the fact that the office space is so close to the bed… when do you get time to unwind?!  Work should really be kept separate but when you’ve little space perhaps you just have to compromise…

posted by Emily

You might also like:

We all like to save space, have plenty of storage and avoid the unsightly ‘cluttered look’, no matter how large or small your home is.  Here are a few ideas to get your imagination going!

Need extra seating?  Add a few floor cushions for unexpected guests (perhaps best not to put your granny on one, though… she’ll never get up again!!) 

floor cushions, Anthropologie 

This sofa, below, is great for storing books and displaying your precious items.  Don’t add too much though, as it’ll end up looking messy and cluttered.  There’s the added bonus of a built-in side table too, so no real need for a coffee table.  Genius!

Modular Sofa by Patricia Hopfer

We love these small foldaway desks, below- the ultimate space saver!  It won’t replace an office of course, but ideal for catching-up with work.  It stops you sitting on the sofa in front of the telly with your laptop, too- no distractions!  We’d like to see it in a different colour, though- don’t you agree?

Murphy desk, overstock.com

posted by Emily

You might also like:

Hands up if you have a pokey little room or alcove that you just can’t seem to do anything with?  I certainly have.  Our flat is classed as a two bedroom, however the second bedroom isn’t even big enough to swing a cat in!  I haven’t tried this of course, my love for furry felines and other animals prevents me from doing such a thing, but it gives you an idea of the size.

So what can you do to make those little spaces more appealing?  Atlanta designer Jill VanTosh chose to re-purpose an underused closet into a little recessed art gallery, below. The six-by-three-foot nook now looks fantastic and makes great use of the previously unused space.

I just love the finished look of this wall, below.  Graphic designer Jill Dupré created this attractive photo wall for her New Orleans home using photographs, scraps of wrapping paper and her childrens’ artwork.  Using a black marker, she drew each frame freehand, covering the entire wall of her second-floor landing. 

Why not add an feature wall to your small room, to add interest?  As Jill shows, it couldn’t be easier… or cheaper!

You might also like: